What Car? Used Car of the Year - Winner
29 September 2009
Year '06/06
Price £7000
The runaway winner in this year's judging was the Passat, even though it was up against strong rivals from Ford and Nissan. In the end, it all came down to value for money, and our experts believed that you can't argue against such a good saloon for just £7000.
Family cars have been excellent value on the used market for a while, but the Passat takes it to an entirely new level.
Its classy image means you'll be proud to park it outside your home, and you won't be disappointed with how it drives, either. Its reliability record is impressive, too.
It's a capable, comfortable and safe car that's equipped with six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors and stability control as standard. However, with used car prices on the up, we don't expect the Passat to stay so competitively priced for long. If you're in the market for this super saloon, you'd best start looking now, and the best places to find them are usually car supermarkets, independents and online.
There are plenty out there, so you can afford to be picky to get a really good one.
Runners-up
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec Climate (113) 5dr
Year '06/06
Price £6400
The Focus is a runner-up this year, and that's a reflection of just how good the Passat's credentials as a used car really are. The Focus is still stunning value, practical and always satisfying to drive. We reckon that if sellers hadn't already cottoned on to how capable an all-round used car it is, its prices would be even lower than they are now.
Nissan Note 1.4 SE
Year '06/06
Price £5000
The fact that the Note is up there with the likes of the Passat and Focus shows how impressive it is. It breaks the mould of standard superminis, and is spacious enough to be considered by those looking for a small family car or a smaller MPV. Factor in the low price and good reliability, and you've got a great all-rounder that'll keep your motoring bills low.
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec Climate (113) 5dr Year '06/06
Price £6400
The Focus is a runner-up this year, and that's a reflection of just how good the Passat's credentials as a used car really are. The Focus is still stunning value, practical and always satisfying to drive. We reckon that if sellers hadn't already cottoned on to how capable an all-round used car it is, its prices would be even lower than they are now.
Nissan Note 1.4 SE Year '06/06
Price £5000
The fact that the Note is up there with the likes of the Passat and Focus shows how impressive it is. It breaks the mould of standard superminis, and is spacious enough to be considered by those looking for a small family car or a smaller MPV. Factor in the low price and good reliability, and you've got a great all-rounder that'll keep your motoring bills low.
Get the video podcastClick below to get our What Car? Used Car of the Year 2009 video podcast. See all the winning cars in action and find out more about why our judges picked them.
• What Car? Used Car of the Year 2009 video podcast
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2013
